Stress Essays

Stress Essays Stress Essay Stress Essay Stress is the loading applied   Ã‚  on the material while strain is the deformation that results due to application of load or stress. By this definition, it is obvious that stress and strain are related and that relationship can best be explained by considering a stress-strain curve (Figure 1). Building materials have their own corresponding stress-strain curve which can be obtained by recording the amount of deformation (strain) upon application of tensile or compressive loading. Curve results reveal the behavior or properties of materials when load (weight) is applied.Figure1. Stress-Strain curveConsider the Stress-Strain curve of building materials in Figure 1. For concrete materials, its curve is almost a straight line and ends rather abruptly. This means that concretes easily fractures or fails (brittle material). Likewise, the resulting curve for cast iron is straight indicating that it too is brittle. However, as the graph indicates it can withstand higher stress before failure than concretes do. Nevertheless, both of these materials will fail or fracture with little warning once their limits (maximum loading) are exceeded. Mild steel on the other hand, has a gentle curving at the top. This means that mild steel has different properties than cast iron or concrete. The gentle curving signifies that after certain point mild steel will continue to strain (in the case of tension, to stretch) as the stress (the loading) remains more or less constant. This indicates a high ductility. However, at certain point, or maximum bearable loading, the material will not continue to stretch but will ultimately fail.Stress can be applied to building materials in two ways: by compression or stretching (tensile).     Ã‚  Compressive strength is the maximum stress that a material will bear when it is subjected to a load that pushes it together. Tensile strength is the maximum stress a material will bear when it is subjected to a stretching load (Luebkeman 1997).ReferenceLuebkeman, Chris H. and Donald Peting. (1997). Stress-Strain Curves. Retrieved 12 October 2007 from http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~struct/courseware/461/461_lectures/ /461_lecture24/461_lecture24.html Stress Essays Stress Essay Stress Essay Over the years, stress has been studied by members of the medical, psychological, business, and even academic professions. The reason for this is that the problem occurs on a very wide scale. The scope of the problem even extends to the definition, as even this has been the cause of several stressful debates. There are also three kinds of stress: acute, episodic acute, and chronic stress (APA, 2004). Despite the disagreement about its definition, however, many have accepted that credited to Richard S. Lazarus: â€Å"a condition or feeling experienced when a person perceives that demands exceed the personal and social resources the individual is able to mobilize† (Mindtools). Although stress often derives from a person’s feeling about a situation or problem (specifically, that it might be too great for him or her alone to handle), it also has considerable physical implications. It affects several of the major systems of the body, including the digestive, immune, nervous, and cardiovascular systems. Evidence of this can be seen in the form of diarrhea, increased cardiovascular activity, and increased susceptibility to diseases (MayoClinic, 2005). Since stress can cause damage to the vital systems of the body, it is often crucial to recognize it early and takes steps to control it. There are several ways to reduce stress without the help of medication, and these have mainly to do with attitude and lifestyle. According to the article â€Å"How can I manage stress?† by the American Heart Association, ways to reduce stress include changing one’s response to difficult situations and learning to decline offers. These are indeed psychological solutions to a problem that affects people on a physical level, but it is not to be forgotten that stress often is as a result of psychological issues. Therefore, though stress is a health hazard, it is both preventable and curable. However, one has to have the mind to do it. (Consultation with one’s doctor is recommended, especially for people with a family history of heart disease or strokes.) The causes of stress are variable and its effects are often damaging, both psychologically and physically. However, as its causes are mainly psychological, the effects can often be reduced by a â€Å"simple† change in lifestyle. When signs and symptoms of stress are perceived, action should be taken immediately to avoid its numerous health risks. Support from family and friends might be of great help in a stressful time, and any help offered should be promptly accepted. References â€Å"Different kinds of stress, the† (2004) APA Help Center 8. Nov. 2005 [Online], Available: apahelpcenter.org/articles/article.php?id=21 How can I manage stress? (2004) American Heart Association. 8 Nov. 2005 [Online], Available: americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/110167971464923%20HowCanIManageStress.pdf Stress management Mindtools 8 Nov. 2005. [Online], Available: mindtools.com/stress/UnderstandStress/StressDefinition.htm Stress: Why you have it and how it hurts your health. (2005, September 7) MayoClinic.Com [Online], Available: mayoclinic.com/health/stress/SR00001 nbsp;